Method of playing a game

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a game having certain aspects and rules similar to those of regulation baseball, but with modifications to suit a wider range of age, gender and ability than regulation baseball. Only fastball pitches are allowed. Specifically, all pitches other than fastballs (e.g., curveballs) are prohibited. A penalty may be issued when the pitcher delivers a pitch other than a fastball. In addition, rules are provided that will speed up the pace of the game, such as issuing a strikeout after two strikes and a walk to the batter after three balls. The game also provides that divisions may be organized according to the velocity of pitching, age and/or gender of players. The game also optionally provides for the use of a reduced injury factor ball and a wooden bat for increased safety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a method of playing a game having certain rulessimilar to those of regulation baseball but with modifications designedto suit a wider range of age, gender and ability than regulationbaseball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Regulation baseball, also commonly known as “hardball” (including bothAmerican Major League and Little League Baseball, and other leaguesaround the world), is a highly competitive sport demanding high levelsof skill, and is tailored to suit only a narrow range of players. Inparticular, curveball pitches and other pitch variations such aschangeups, split fingered pitches, sliders, screwballs and knuckleballs,that are allowed in regulation baseball, add significantly to thedifficulty level of the game. Further, regulation baseball can be adangerous sport as a result of batters being struck by deceptive pitchessuch as curveballs, runners colliding with other players, and the natureof the ball's hardcore structure.

The game of baseball in America has been experiencing a declininginterest among youth. A lack of fun and enjoyment seems to be acontributing factor. High levels of competitive pressure are put onplayers. As a result, the large majority of youth players who startplaying in youth baseball leagues at early ages quit by the time theyreach adolescence. A study conducted in 1988 by Michigan StateUniversity revealed that “children are quitting youth sports in droves”.According to the results, one half of them will drop out by age 12, andthree fourths by age 15. The largest single age dropout comes at 14,about the time children encounter larger fields and pitchers who canthrow curveballs. A 1996 study shows that youth baseball ranks thirdbehind basketball and soccer in participation.

Analysis of the decline of interest in the game of baseball may be foundin, for example, Collegiate Sports, Disturbing Trends in Baseball, March1998, Lou Pavlovich, Jr. Editor, Collegiate Baseball; St. PetersburgTimes. Baseball's decline is traced to youngsters, Apr. 6, 2003, HubertMizell, Times Sports Columnist; USA Today, What's The Problem WithBaseball?, June, 2003, P t r Barzilai and John Follaco; Baseball PlayAmerica, Special Report: Ways to Fix the Game of Baseball, Vol. 4, Issue12. July, Aug., September, 2003, Don Weiskopf; Baseball Play America.Kids First in Sports-A Blueprint for Change, Vol. 4, Issue 12, July,Aug., September 2003, Regis Tremblay, Founder, The Center for Kids Firstin Sports, Baseball Play America, Renaissance Needed in Youth Baseball,Vol. 4, Issue 12, July, Aug., September, 2003, Don Weiskopf, Publisher,Baseball Play America: among others.

Other games have been modeled after regulation baseball in an effort tosimplify the game to be more enjoyable for players of lower skilllevels. These games sometimes employ a larger ball and larger bat tomake hitting the ball easier; a softer ball which reduces injuries frominaccurate throws or catches; or different rules to make playing andscoring easier. An example is softball, which was introduced as analternative to baseball. Many players leave the game of baseball to playsoftball, which requires a lower level of skill and is safer thanregulation baseball. Softball is played with a larger ball of differentweight and softer core that is easier to hit but harder to handle andthrow than the ball used in regulation baseball. As a result of thenature of the ball, the speed of softball pitches is also much slowerand the hits much shorter than what is found in regulation baseball. Assuch, softball can be a significantly different, less challenging andless exciting sport than regulation baseball.

Other variations of regulation baseball have been developed, such asthose disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,416 to Ward (sponge ball game);U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,734 to Bravard (teeball game for young children);U.S. Pat. No. 4,037,837 to Bauer (ball game system wherein differentsexes, age group or classes of players can play on the same field havingdiffering areas of play); U.S. Pat. No. 3,024,024 to Chalcroft and U.S.Pat. No. 3,948,521 to Warren (ball games adapted for play in limitedavailable space); U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,385 to Harley and U.S. Pat. No.4,973,061 to Catherall (apparatus for indoor ball game); U.S. Pat. No.1,120,076 to Noonan, U.S. Pat. No. 1,911,569 to Hinckley, and U.S. Pat.No. 5,562,289 to McAllister (varying ball games containing elements ofbaseball). However, the noted references disclose ball games that lack acertain level of challenge and excitement, are suited primarily foryoung children, require approximately the same skill level as that ofregulation baseball, or are of such a completely different nature thatthey incorporate few if any of the aspects and rules of regulationbaseball.

As such, there remains a need for a new game that would appeal to bothyoung and adult players, and allow for a wider range of skill levelswhile still providing a significant challenge to its players.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is toprovide a variation of regulation baseball that incorporatessubstantially the same aspects and rules of regulation baseball, andgives the players the excitement and feel of regulation baseball withoutthe same level of difficulty of play, and in particular without the samehigh skill level required in batting and pitching as in regulationbaseball. A further object of the invention is to take the element offear and/or embarrassment of the players out of the game. In the game ofthe present invention, pitches are limited to fastballs. Curveballs andother non-fastball pitches are ruled as automatic balls. Pitchers mayonly throw and batters need only hit fastball pitches, as opposed tomore difficult curveball pitches and other more difficult non-fastballpitches. The instant game is designed to provide players with lessopportunity for failure and be less intimidating than regulationbaseball as a result of the limitation of pitches to only fastballs. Thegame is also intended to provide more challenge and excitement, and torequire more skill than other games such as softball. The game of thepresent invention will thus be suitable for a wider range of skilllevels, and will attract more youths and adults to return to playing inorganized leagues that they would have otherwise not played in becauseof the lack of challenge in softball, or because of the pressure,competition and much higher level of skill in batting and pitching thatis demanded in traditional regulation baseball.

The game of the present invention optionally provides a ball thatclosely resembles the ball used in traditional regulation baseball insize, shape, feel and weight. As a result, the game may give players atraditional baseball-like feel (i.e. as a result of the ball used), asopposed to the game of softball which gives players a different feel asa result of its larger ball.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a game thatprovides more participation by the players and is more exciting andhigher scoring than regulation baseball. The game of the instantinvention allows for only fastball pitches, and as a result. It Isexpected that the batters will have more hits and score more runs. Inaddition, there will consequently be more balls put in play and morefielding required by the players on the field.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a game that isfaster-aced and that can be played in a shorter amount of time thanregulation baseball, so as to encourage participation by recreationalplayers. The pitcher is encouraged to deliver pitches without delay andthe batter is encouraged to remain in the batter's box between pitches.In a specific embodiment a strike-out is issued after 2 strikes and awalk is issued after 3 balls. In addition, the game ends after apredetermined number of innings that is less than 9 innings; after apredetermined length of time; or after the completion of the maximumnumber of innings within a predetermined length of time, whicheveroccurs first.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a gamethat is safer and less intimidating to players than regulation baseball.The instant invention provides rules for optional tagging, allows onlynon-curving fastball pitches, provides a ball with a softer core thanwhat is used in regulation baseball, a safety first base, wooden batsand helmets, and disallows metal spikes. As a result, it is expectedthat there be less collisions between runners and players on the field,as well as fewer injuries resulting from being struck by the ball.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a game thatis tailored to the players' age, gender and ability. In specificembodiments of the invention, divisions are organized depending on thevelocity of the pitches, age, skill level and/or gender of the players.Thus players can play within a division that better suits their level ofskill and reaction time, and as a result, it is expected that the gamewill be more fun and safer with fewer injuries to the players.

While the present invention will be described in detail with referenceto certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to such detail as set forth in thedescription or drawings. The present invention is capable of beingpracticed in various ways and it is intended to cover all alternatives,modifications and equivalents which fall within the sphere and scope ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention believed to be novel are set forthwith particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, both asto its organization and methodology, together with further objects andadvantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is the top view of a playing field used in the present invention

FIG. 2 is a ball used in the present invention

DEFINITIONS

The following terms are intended to have the following general meaningsas they are used herein:

Regulation baseball (or “baseball”)—a game between two teams of nineplayers each, played in accordance with the Official Baseball Rules ofMajor League baseball. Regulation baseball is also known as hardball.

Ball—a pitch which does not enter the strike zone in flight and is notstruck by the batter; or a pitch that touches the ground and bouncesthrough the strike zone, is a ball. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, a pitch that is not a fastball, regardless of whether itenters the strike zone in flight, is also a ball.

(Distinguish from the “ball” described below).

Ball—a spherical object thrown by the pitcher and struck at by thebatter.

Walk—the awarding of first base to the batter. In the present invention,a walk may be issued when three balls are issued on a batter.

Pitch—the delivery of a ball to the batter by the pitcher

Fastball—a pitch delivered in a generally straight manner that does notcurve unexpectedly in its approach to the batter.

Curveball—a pitch delivered with a spin that curves in its approach tothe batter.

Illegal Pitch—(i) a pitch that is not a fastball pitch; (ii) a pitchdeliver d to the batter when the pitcher does not have his pivot foot incontact with the “rubber” in the pitcher's mound, or (iii) a quickreturn pitch made with intent to catch the batter off balance.

Illegal—contrary to these rules

Team—grouping of players

Division—a grouping of teams formed according to a particularcharacteristic of the game (e.g. pitching velocity) and/or a particularcharacteristic of the players (e.g., age and/or gender of players).

League—a grouping of divisions wherein the instant game is played

Strike—a proper fastball pitch when so called by the umpire, which (i)is struck at by the batter and is missed; (ii) is not struck at, and anypart of the ball passes through any part of the strike zone; or (iii) isfouled by the batter when he has no strikes issued.

Strike-out—an out issued against the batter when two strikes are issued.

Strike-zone—the area of space over home plate within which a strike isissued on fastball pitches that enter through it. The strike-zone isoptionally the area of space over home plate from the bottom of thebatter's kneecaps to directly below the batter's armpits.

Batter—an offensive player who takes a position in the batter's box

Batter's Box—the area within which the batter stands during his/her timeat bat.

Batting lineup—a list of batters in the order in which they will bat.

A/B Batting Position—a position in the batting lineup where one playeris designated as the “A” batter and another player designated as the“Bn” batter. During the first time through the batting lineup, the “A”batter would be up at bat, and the second time through the battinglineup, the ‘B’ batter would be up at bat. The “A” and “BP” batterscontinue to alternate throughout the game.

Runner—an offensive player who is advancing toward or touching orreturning to any base.

Fielder—any defensive player on the playing field.

Pitcher—the player designated to deliver the pitch to the batter.

Catcher—the player designated to catch the pitch delivered by thepitcher to the batter

Base—one of four points (i.e. first base, second base, third base andhome plate) which must be touched by a runner in order to score a run.

Fair Ball—a batted ball that settles on fair territory between homeplate and first base, or between home plate and third base, or that isin or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first baseor third base, or that touches first base, second base or third base, orthat first falls in fair territory on or beyond first base or thirdbase, or that, while in or over fair territory, touches the person of anumpire or player, or that, while over fair territory, passes out of theplaying field in flight.

Run—the score made by an offensive player who advances from batter torunner and touches first base, second base, third base and home plate inthat order.

Out—one of the three required retirements of offensive players during ateam's time at bat.

Issuing—synonymous with “recording” (e.g. issuing a strike to thebatter).

Fielding Play—the actions of a fielder when attempting to catch and/orthrow a ball in play.

Tag—the action of a fielder in touching a runner with the ball or withhis/her glove holding the ball.

Non-tagging fielding play—a fielding play where tagging of the runner isoptional.

Stealing—the act of a runner advancing to the next base without beingadvanced thereto by the actions of the batter.

Leading—the act of a runner moving to a location along the baselinetowards the next base and away from the base that the runner ispositioned at, such that the runner is not touching the said base

Penalty—a disadvantage imposed on the player or team for breaking arule.

Fair territory—the part of the playing field including the base linesand foul lines from home plate to the bottom of the playing field fenceand perpendicularly upwards.

Foul territory—the part of the playing field outside of fair territoryand outside the foul lines extended to the fence and perpendicularlyupwards.

Foul lines—the boundary lines of the playing field separating foulterritory from fair territory. (Coincides with the first and third baselines.)

Inning—the portion of the game within which the teams alternate onoffense and defense and in which there are three outs allowed for eachteam when on offense. Each team's time at bat is a half-inning.

Pitching Distance—distance between the pitchers mound and home plate.

Fence Distance—distance between the outfield fence and home plate.

Base Distance—distance between a base and the subsequent base.

Reduced injury factor ball—a ball with a core that is softer than thecore of a regulation baseball ball, such that injury resulting frombeing struck by the ball is reduced.

Glove radar velocity sensor—a velocity sensor attached to a glove thatuses radar to measure the speed of a pitch before it is caught.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new game involving aspects and rulessimilar to regulation baseball but with modifications designed to suit awider range of age, gender and ability. The game of the presentinvention is played on a playing field 10 shown generally in FIG. 1,which includes a first base 12, a second base 18, a third base 20 and ahome plate 22. As in regulation baseball, the objective of each team isto win by scoring more runs than the other team. Runs are scored byoffensive players who advance from batter to runner and touch first base12, second base 18, third base 20 and home plate 22, in that order. Anoffensive player advances from batter to runner when he/she strikes apitched ball 60 with a bat into fair territory, or receives a walk. Thebatter of the offensive team has as his/her objective to reach basesafely or advance a runner, either by hitting a fair ball, or receivinga walk. A runner has as his/her objective to advance to home plate 22and score a run. The pitcher has as his/her objective to strike-out orotherwise put out the batter. The defensive players on the playing field10 have as their objective to field any balls 60 thrown or hit in theirdirection in order to prevent runners from advancing or to put out abatter or runner of the offensive team. The offensive team's playerstake positions at bat in the batters box 30 one at a time according tothe order of their batting lineup. The defensive team's players take thefollowing positions on the playing field 10: pitcher/mound 40, catcher24, shortstop 26, first base 12, second base 18, third base 20, centerfield 56, right field 58, and left field 54. The two opposing teamsswitch positions each inning as the defensive team and as the offensiveteam when the offensive team is retired from its time at bat upon theissuing of three outs. Regulation baseball rules, other than the rulesdisclosed herein, may be included in the game of the present inventionThe primary object of the present invention is to provide a new game, asdistinguished by its limitation of allowing only fastball pitches, thatwill suit a wider range of age, gender and ability than regulationbaseball or other variations of regulation baseball like softball.

Pitching

Rules are provided that make pitching and batting easier by limiting thepitches to fastballs. Fastball pitches are delivered in a generallystraight manner without any unexpected curving in their approach to thebatter (other than minimal downward movement of the ball 60 due togravity). All curveballs and other non-fastball pitches are illegalpitches. The umpire may have discretion in determining whether a pitchis a legal fastball pitch or not. A penalty is issued when the pitcherdelivers a pitch that is not a fastball, regardless of whether the pitchis within the strike zone. A possible penalty is to issue a ball to thebatter when the pitcher delivers a pitch other than a fastball. Inaddition, a penalty is issued when the pitcher delivers curveballs ornon-fastball pitches on a plurality of occasions throughout the game. Apossible number of such occasions is three. A possible penalty is toeject the pitcher from the game. Other possible penalties includeissuing a warning to the pitcher, a suspension of the pitcher fromplaying for a period of time during the game, or awarding an automaticwalk or run for the other team. This is advantageous in that it widensthe suitability of the game to varying skill levels because thelimitation of the pitches to fastballs allows for a greater chance ofthe batter hitting the ball 60.

The present invention also includes rules that lend to the game a fasterpace and allow the game to be played in a shorter time frame thanregulation baseball.

Strike-Outs and Walks

In specific embodiments of the present invention, a strike-out is issuedto the batter when two strikes are issued; and a walk is issued to thebatter when three balls are issued.

Penalty for Delays

The rules of the instant game also encourage the players to play thegame without undue delay. In specific embodiments of the presentinvention, a penalty is issued when the pitcher fails to deliver a pitchwithin a predetermined amount of time after receiving the ball 60 whenno runners are on base. A possible amount of time is 15 seconds. Theinstant invention also optionally provides for a penalty to be issuedwhen the pitcher fails to deliver a pitch within a predetermined amountof time after receiving the ball 60 when there are runners on base. Apossible amount of time is 20 seconds. A possible penalty is to issue aball to the batter. Other possible penalties include issuing a walk tothe batter, a warning to the pitcher, a suspension of the pitcher fromplaying for a defined period during the game, or an ejection of thepitcher from the game. In another embodiment of the present invention,the batter is encouraged not to delay and to enter the batter's box 30quickly, or to stay in the batters box 30 between pitches. A penalty maybe issued to the batter when the batter fails to keep at least one footin the batters box 30 after each pitch when no runners are on base, orwhen the batter fails to return to the batters box 30 after each pitchwithin a reasonable time when there are runners on base. A possiblepenalty is to issue a strike to the batter. Other possible penaltiesinclude issuing a warning to the batter, issuing an out to the batter,suspending the batter from playing for a defined period during the game,or ejecting the batter from the game The umpire may be given discretionas to what amount of time is reasonable for the batter to return to thebatter's box 30. These rules can speed up the pace of the game withoutdisrupting the flow of the game, and thus help to keep the attention ofthe players and spectators.

Time of Play

In another embodiment of the present invention, rules are providedwherein the game ends after a predetermined number of innings that isless than nine innings; after a predetermined length of time; or afterthe completion of the maximum number of innings within a predeterminedlength of time. One possible embodiment of these rules is that the gameends after seven innings or after the completion of the maximum numberof innings within 75 minutes, whichever occurs first.

Players

Embodiments of the present invention provide for nine defensive playerson the playing field 10 as per regulation baseball rules. Rules of theinstant game permit the players of the defensive team on the playingfield 10 to be substituted without limitation.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides that each team musthave at least 10 players in their batting lineup. In addition, each teamin the offensive position may designate an A/B batting position.

Divisions

Another embodiment of the present invention provides that the games maybe organized into different divisions according to a particularcharacteristic of the game or of the players. In this embodiment, eachteam of players is designated in a division. The teams of playersdesignated in a division will usually play against other teams ofplayers within that division. The divisions may be formed according tovelocity of pitching, age of players, and/or gender of players. This isadvantageous in keeping the game suitable to the specific skill level ofthe players in the division. A possible organization of the divisions isas follows: Division 1 for pitching fastballs at speeds of up to 49miles per hour, Division 2 for pitching fastballs at speeds between 50and 59 miles per hour; Division 3 for pitching fastballs at speedsbetween 60 and 69 miles per hour; Division 4 for pitching fastballs atspeeds between 70 and 79 miles per hour; and Division 5 for pitchingfastballs at speeds of unlimited velocity. These figures may be adjustedso that different ranges in pitching velocity may be designated fordifferent divisions. The pitching velocity is optionally determined byvelocity sensors. The velocity sensors are optionally glove radarvelocity sensors. It is also possible to have the umpire determinewhether the pitching velocity is within the range of pitching velocityfor the division based on his/her judgment. Pitchers are encouraged todeliver pitches within the velocity range assigned to their division. Inspecific embodiments of the present invention, rules are provided toissue a penalty to the pitcher when the pitcher delivers a pitch that isoutside the range of pitching velocity for the division. A possiblepenalty is to issue a ball to the batter. Other penalties includeissuing a walk to the batter, a warning to the pitcher, a suspension ofthe pitcher from playing for a period of time during the game, or anejection of the pitcher from the game. In other embodiments of thepresent invention, rules are provided where a penalty issued to thepitcher when pitches are delivered outside the range of pitchingvelocity for the division on a plurality of occasions throughout thegame. A possible number of such occasions is three. A possible penaltyis to eject the pitcher from the game. Other possible penalties includeissuing a warning to the pitcher, a suspension of the pitcher fromplaying for a period of time during the game, or awarding an automaticwalk or run for the other team.

League

In another embodiment of the present invention, a league is organizedfrom a plurality of divisions formed from a plurality of teams, usingthe rules of play of the present invention comprising limiting thepitcher to delivering only fastball pitches. The divisions are organizedaccording to velocity of pitching, age of players, and/or gender ofplayers as discussed above.

Runs

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a rule is providedthat adds an extra measure of excitement to the instant game. If a pointin the game is reached at which there are two outs and no runners onbase, every subsequent run that is scored by the offensive team at batwill count as two runs until the end of that inning. Thus thesignificance of scoring a run after there are two outs and no runners onbase provides an incentive for the players to try harder. The ability tohave each such subsequent run count as two runs provides an opportunityfor the scores to change faster and possibly allow a losing team tocatch up faster.

Tagging

Further embodiments of the present invention allow for non-taggingfielding plays, wherein tagging on fielding plays by fielders isoptional. If a defensive player on the playing field 10 receives theball 60 and touches the base that the runner is advancing to before therunner reaches it, the runner is then called out without the need to betagged. These rules are advantageous in that they reduce the chance ofcollision between players and thus add an extra measure of safety to thegame as compared to regulation baseball.

Base Running

Further embodiments of the present invention provide for base stealingby runners. In one embodiment of the rules, base stealing is onlyallowed after the pitcher releases the ball 60 when making a pitch.Another embodiment of the rules is to allow base stealing only after theball 60 pitched by the pitcher crosses home plate 22. In otherembodiments of the rules, base stealing is not allowed.

In still further embodiments of the present invention, leading byrunners in upper divisions of play is allowed, and in lower divisions ofplay, leading by runners is not allowed.

Playing Field

The game of the present invention provides the use of a playing field 10with a first base 12, second base 18, third base 20, home plate 22,center field 56, left field 54, and right field 58, arranged in adiamond-shaped formation. A pitching distance from the mound 40 and thehome plate 22 is provided of between 45 and 60 feet, with a possiblepitching distance of 55 feet. In addition, a base path distance isprovided of between 60 and 75 feet. The pitching distance and base pathdistance may each be varied depending on the division, age and abilityof the players. The instant game also provides a playing field 10 with afence distance from the outfield fence 50 and the home plate 22 ofbetween 200 and 300 feet. The fence distance will depend on thedivision, age and ability of the players, and the facilities that areavailable.

The instant game provides for the use of a safety first base 12 thatincludes a first part 14 that is placed within fair territory and asecond part 16 that is placed within foul territory and which isattached to and directly adjacent to the first part 14. The first part14 is used for the first baseman to field throws and for runners whohave successfully reached first base 12 and are advancing towards secondbase 18. The second part 16 is used for runners who have batted a fairball and are advancing towards first base 12. The safety first base 12is intended to help prevent collisions between a runner advancingtowards first base 12 and the first baseman, and thus add an extrameasure of safety to the game.

Equipment

Embodiments of the present invention provide for the use of a ball 60that is between 9 inches and 10 inches in circumference with a softercore than that of regulation baseball balls. The ball 60 is preferably areduced injury factor ball. The ball 60 is optionally manufactured byRawlings™. Further, the ball 60 is optionally a Level 10 Reduced InjuryFactor ball manufactured by Rawlings™. Also provided are the use of batsmade of wood or composite wood particles. Aluminum bats are not allowedto be used. Further, the instant game prohibits the use of metal spikes.The use of the said equipment and rules described herein are intended toprovide protection to the players and help prevent serious injury fromthe ball 60 or from collisions between players, and thus add an extrameasure of safety to the game.

Also provided are the use of velocity sensors. The velocity sensors areoptionally glove radar velocity sensors that may be attached to theglove of the catcher catching the pitch from the pitcher in order tomeasure the pitching velocity of the pitches.

Scope of the Invention

The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. Itis to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intendedto be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Although various examples of combined elements of the invention havebeen described, it will also be understood that these are not intendedto be exhaustive and features of one embodiment may be combined withthose of another, and such other combinations are contemplated to bewithin the scope of the invention disclosed herein.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possiblein light of the above description that are readily apparent to one ofskill in the art, and all such variations are intended to be encompassedby the present invention. Therefore, within the scope of the appendedclaims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described.

1. A method of playing a game comprising: (a) providing a playing fieldcomprising a first base, a second base, a third base, and a home plate;(b) providing a ball; (c) providing a bat; (d) providing a plurality ofteams of players; (e) providing a first team positioned in a battingline up as an offensive team; (f) providing a second team positioned onthe playing field as a defensive team; (g) providing a batter from theoffensive team having as an objective to reach base safely or advance arunner by either hitting a fair ball or receiving a walk; (h) providinga pitcher from the second team having as an objective to put out thebatter; and (i) limiting the pitcher to deliver only fastball pitches.2. The method of playing a game as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising issuing a penalty to the second team when the pitcherdelivers a pitch other than a fastball.
 3. The method of playing a gameas recited in claim 1, further comprising forming divisions.
 4. Themethod of playing a game as recited in claim 3, wherein the forming ofdivisions comprises separating the players according to age.
 5. Themethod of playing a game as recited in claim 3, wherein the forming ofdivisions comprises separating the players according to gender.
 6. Themethod of playing a game as recited in claim 3, wherein the forming ofdivisions comprises separating the players according to the velocity ofpitching.
 7. The method of playing a game as recited in claim 6 whereinthe divisions are selected from the group consisting of: (a) Division 1for pitching fastballs at speeds up to 49 miles per hour; (b) Division 2for pitching fastballs at speeds between 50 and 59 miles per hour; (c)Division 3 for pitching fastballs at speeds between 60 and 69 miles perhour; (d) Division 4 for pitching fastballs at speeds between 70 and 79miles per hour; and (e) Division 5 for pitching fastballs at speeds ofunlimited velocity.
 8. The method of playing a game as recited in claim6 further comprising issuing a penalty to the second team when thepitcher delivers a pitch that is outside the range of velocity for thedesignated division.
 9. The method of playing a game as recited in claim6, further comprising issuing a penalty to the second team when thepitcher delivers a pitch that is outside the range of velocity for thedesignated division on a plurality of occasions throughout the game. 10.The method of playing a game as recited in claim 1 further comprisingissuing a walk to the batter when three balls are issued to the batter.11. The method of playing a game as recited in claim 1 furthercomprising issuing a strike-out to the batter when two strikes areissued to the batter.
 12. The method of playing a game as recited inclaim 1 further comprising Issuing two runs to the offensive team forevery runner that crosses home plate until the end of the inning,subsequent to the time in the inning when two outs have been issued andthere are no runners on base.
 13. The method of playing a game asrecited in claim 1 further comprising issuing a penalty to the secondteam when the pitcher fails to deliver a pitch within a predeterminedamount of time after receiving the ball when there are no runners onbase.
 14. The method of playing a game as recited in claim 1 furthercomprising issuing a penalty to the pitcher when the pitcher fails todeliver a pitch within a predetermined amount of time after receivingthe ball when there are runners on base.
 15. The method of playing agame as recited in claim 1 further comprising issuing a penalty to thebatter when the batter fails to keep at least one foot in the batter'sbox after each pitch when no runners are on base.
 16. The method ofplaying a game as recited in claim 1 further comprising issuing apenalty to the batter when the batter fails to enter the batter's boxwithin a reasonable time when runners are on base.
 17. The method ofplaying a game as recited in claim 1 further comprising issuing apenalty to the first team when a runner leads off.
 18. The method ofplaying a game as recited in claim 1 further comprising issuing apenalty to the first team when a runner steals or attempts to steal abase before the ball crosses home plate.
 19. The method of playing agame as recited In claim 1 further comprising issuing a penalty to thefirst team when a runner steals or attempts to steal a base before thepitcher releases the ball.
 20. The method of playing a game as recitedin claim 1 further comprising permitting non-tagging fielding plays. 21.The method of playing a game as recited in claim 1, further comprisingending the game after a predetermined number of innings that Is lessthan nine, or after the maximum number of innings within a predeterminedlength of time, whichever occurs first,.
 22. The method of playing agame as recited in claim 1, wherein the players may be substitutedwithout limitation.
 23. The method of playing a game as recited in claim1, wherein the players of the defensive team on the playing field arenot limited by their presence or absence in the batting order.
 24. Themethod of playing a game as recited in claim 1, wherein the number ofplayers of the offensive team in the batting line up is at least
 10. 25.The method of playing a game as recited in claim 1, wherein the numberof players of the defensive team on the playing field is nine.
 26. Themethod of playing a game as recited in claim 1, wherein first baseconsists of a safety-first base.
 27. The method of playing a game asrecited in claim 1, wherein the bases of the playing field are arrangedin a diamond-shaped formation.
 28. The method of playing a game asrecited in claim 1, wherein the pitching distance Is between 45 and 60feet.
 29. The method of playing a game as recited In claim 28, whereinthe pitching distance Is 55 feet.
 30. The method of playing a game asrecited in claim 1, wherein the fence distance is between 200 and 300feet.
 31. The method of playing a game as recited in claim 1, whereinthe base path distance is between 60 and 75 feet.
 32. The method ofplaying a game as recited in claim 1, wherein the ball Is between 9inches and 10 inches in circumference.
 33. The method of playing a gameas recited in claim 1, wherein the ball has a core that is softer thanthe core of a regulation baseball ball.
 34. The method of playing a gameas recited in claim 33, wherein the ball is a reduced injury factorball.
 35. The method of playing a game as recited in claim 1, whereinthe bat is made of wood.
 36. The method of playing a game as recited inclaim 35, wherein the bat is made of composite wood particles.
 37. Themethod of playing a game as recited in claim 1, wherein velocity sensorsare used to measure the velocity of the pitch.
 38. The method of playinga game as recited in claim 37 wherein the velocity sensor is a gloveradar velocity sensor.
 39. The method of playing a game as recited inclaim 1, wherein metal cleats are proscribed from use.
 40. The method ofplaying a game as recited in claim 1, further comprising requiringbatting helmets to be used.
 41. A method of playing a game comprising:(a) providing a playing field comprising a first base, a second base, athird base, and a home plate; (b) providing a ball; (c) providing a bat;(d) providing a plurality of teams of players; (e) providing a firstteam positioned in a batting line up as an offensive team; (f) providinga second team positioned on the playing field as a defensive team; (g)providing a batter from the offensive team having as an objective toreach base safely or advance a runner by either hitting a fair ball orreceiving a walk; (h) providing a pitcher from the second team having asan objective to put out the batter; (i) limiting the pitcher to deliveronly fastball pitches; and U) issuing a ball to the batter when thepitcher delivers a pitch other than a fastball.
 42. A method of playinga game comprising: (a) providing a playing field comprising a firstbase, a second base, a third base, and a home plate; (b) providing aball; (c) providing a bat; (d) providing a plurality of teams ofplayers; (e) providing a first team positioned in a batting line up asan offensive team; (f) providing a second team positioned on the playingfield as a defensive team; (g) providing a batter from the offensiveteam having as an objective to reach base safely or advance a runner byeither hitting a fair ball or receiving a walk; (h) providing a pitcherfrom the second team having as an objective to put out the batter; (i)limiting the pitcher to deliver only fastball pitches; (j) issuing aball to the batter when the pitcher delivers a pitch other than afastball; and (k) forming divisions.
 43. A method of playing a gamecomprising: (a) providing a playing field comprising a first base, asecond base, a third base, a home plate: (b) providing a ball; (c)providing a bat; (d) providing a plurality of teams of players; (e)providing a first team positioned in a batting line up as an offensiveteam; (f) providing a second team positioned on the playing field as adefensive team; (g) providing a batter from the offensive team having asan objective to reach base safely or advance a runner by either hittinga fair ball or receiving a walk; (h) providing a pitcher from the secondteam having as an objective to put out the batter, (i) limiting thepitcher to deliver only fastball pitches; (j) issuing a ball to thebatter when the pitcher delivers a pitch other then a fastball; (k)issuing a strikeout to the batter when two strikes are recorded; and (l)issuing a walk to the batter when three balls are recorded.
 44. A methodof organizing a league comprising: (a) providing a plurality of teams;(b) forming divisions; and (c) providing rules of play comprisinglimiting the pitcher to deliver only fastball pitches.
 45. The method oforganizing a league as recited in claim 44, wherein forming thedivisions comprises separating the players according to age.
 46. Themethod of organizing a league as recited in claim 44, wherein formingthe divisions comprises separating the players according to gender. 47.The method of organizing a league as recited in claim 44, whereinforming the divisions comprises separating the players according to thevelocity of pitching.
 48. The method of organizing a league as recitedin claim 47, wherein the divisions are selected from the groupconsisting of: (a) Division 1 for pitching fastballs at speeds up to 49miles per hour; (b) Division 2 for pitching fastballs at speeds between50 and 59 miles per hour; (c) Division 3 for pitching fastballs atspeeds between 60 and 69 miles per hour; (d) Division 4 for pitchingfastballs at speeds between 70 and 79 miles per hour; and (e) Division 5for pitching fastballs at speeds of unlimited velocity.
 49. The methodof playing a game as recited in claim 2, further comprising formingdivisions.
 50. The method of playing a game as recited in claim 49,wherein the forming of divisions comprises separating the playersaccording to age.
 51. The method of playing a game as recited in claim50, wherein the forming of divisions further comprises separating theplayers according to gender.
 52. The method of playing a game as recitedin claim 51, wherein the forming of divisions further comprisesseparating the players according to the velocity of pitching.
 53. Themethod of playing a game as recited in claim 52 wherein the divisionsare selected from the group consisting of. (a) Division 1 for pitchingfastballs at speeds up to 49 miles per hour; (b) Division 2 for pitchingfastballs at speeds between 50 and 59 miles per hour; (c) Division 3 forpitching fastballs at speeds between 60 and 69 miles per hour; (d)Division 4 for pitching fastballs at speeds between 70 and 79 miles perhour; and (e) Division 5 for pitching fastballs at speeds of unlimitedvelocity.
 54. The method of playing a game as recited in claim 53further comprising issuing a penalty to the second team when the pitcherdelivers a pitch that is outside the range of velocity for thedesignated division.
 55. The method of playing a game as recited Inclaim 54, further comprising issuing a penalty to the second team whenthe pitcher delivers a pitch that is outside the range of velocity forthe designated division on a plurality of occasions throughout the game.56. The method of playing a game as recited in claim 55 furthercomprising issuing a walk to the batter when three balls are issued tothe batter.
 57. The method of playing a game as recited in claim 56further comprising issuing a strike-out to the batter when two strikesare issued to the batter.
 58. The method of playing a game as recited inclaim 57 further comprising issuing two runs to the offensive team forevery runner that crosses home plate until the end of the inning,subsequent to the time in the inning when two outs have been issued andthere are no runners on base.
 59. The method of playing a game asrecited in claim 58 further comprising issuing a penalty to the secondteam when the pitcher fails to deliver a pitch within a predeterminedamount of time after receiving the ball when there are no runners onbase.
 60. The method of playing a game as recited in claim 59 furthercomprising issuing a penalty to the pitcher when the pitcher fails todeliver a pitch within a predetermined amount of time after receivingthe ball when there are runners on base.
 61. The method of playing agame as recited in claim 60 further comprising issuing a penalty to thebatter when the batter fails to keep at least one foot in the batter'sbox after each pitch when no runners are on base.
 62. The method ofplaying a game as recited in claim 61 further comprising issuing apenalty to the batter when the batter falls to enter the batter's boxwithin a reasonable time when runners are on base.
 63. The method ofplaying a game as recited in claim 62 further comprising issuing apenalty to the first team when a runner leads off.
 64. The method ofplaying a game as recited in claim 63 further comprising issuing apenalty to the first team when a runner steals or attempts to steal abase before the ball crosses home plate.
 65. The method of playing agame as recited in claim 64 further comprising issuing a penalty to thefirst team when a runner steals or attempts to steal a base before thepitcher releases the ball.
 66. The method of playing a game as recitedin claim 65 further comprising permitting non-tagging fielding plays.67. The method of playing a game as recited in claim 66, furthercomprising ending the game after a predetermined number of innings thatis less than nine, or after the maximum number of innings within apredetermined length of time, whichever occurs first.
 68. The method ofplaying a game as recited in claim 67, wherein the players may besubstituted without limitation.
 69. The method of playing a game asrecited in claim 68, wherein the players of the defensive team on theplaying field are not limited by their presence or absence in thebatting order.
 70. The method of playing a game as recited in claim 69,wherein the number of players of the offensive team in the batting lineup is at least
 10. 71. The method of playing a game as recited in claim70, wherein the number of players of the defensive team on the playingfield is nine.
 72. The method of playing a game as recited in claim 71,wherein first base consists of a safety-first base.
 73. The method ofplaying a game as recited in claim 72, wherein the bases of the playingfield are arranged in a diamond-shaped formation.
 74. The method ofplaying a game as recited in claim 73, wherein the pitching distance isbetween 45 and 60 feet.
 75. The method of playing a game as recited inclaim 74, wherein the pitching distance is 55 feet.
 76. The method ofplaying a game as recited in claim 75, wherein the fence distance isbetween 200 and 300 feet.
 77. The method of playing a game as recited inclaim 76, wherein the base path distance is between 60 and 75 feet. 78.The method of playing a game as recited in claim 77, wherein the ball isbetween 9 inches and 10 inches in circumference.
 79. The method ofplaying a game as recited in claim 78, wherein the ball has a core thatis softer than the core of a regulation baseball ball.
 80. The method ofplaying a game as recited in claim 79, wherein the ball is a reducedinjury factor ball.
 81. The method of playing a game as recited in claim80, wherein the bat is made of wood.
 82. The method of playing a game asrecited in claim 81, wherein the bat is made of composite woodparticles.
 83. The method of playing a game as recited in claim 82,wherein velocity sensors are used to measure the velocity of the pitch.84. The method of playing a game as recited in claim 83 wherein thevelocity sensor is a glove radar velocity sensor.
 85. The method ofplaying a game as recited in claim 84, wherein metal cleats areproscribed from use.
 86. The method of playing a game as recited inclaim 85, further comprising requiring batting helmets to be used.